It’s to that end that he’s expanded his private practice to open the John Wentworth Cancer Center – also known as SKAN LLC - Radiation Oncology – in Sandwich.

Unlike a doctor in a large hospital or university setting, Khater said he feels more accountable by practicing directly in the community.

“I enjoy it. What I found is working in rural cancer care – if I do a good job and go the extra mile and really do provide university quality – the patients are very grateful,” Khater said. “Practicing in rural America is unforgiving. If you do a bad job, people will know it. If you do a good job, people will know it. And I’m comfortable in that zone.”

Khater already has a private practice in Ottawa: Radiation Oncology of Northern Illinois. Helping him at his Sandwich location is his partner, Dr. Jyoti Kalra.

Khater said radiation oncology is one method in which cancer can be treated. Along with the other two methods – surgery and chemotherapy – radiation has its uses.

“We can treat an entire region and still preserve the normal anatomy,” Khater said. “Radiation is good at controlling nonbulky diseases.”

The Sandwich location is named after John Wentworth, a two-term mayor of Chicago and a six-term congressman.

“Sandwich is a historical town,” Khater said. “It prides itself on preserving history. We felt naming the center met the town’s philosophy.”

Khater went to school at Northwestern University and John Hopkins University. In addition to his medical degrees, he also has a doctorate in bio-physics.